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BITTTe Author

Level 1

8 points

Enable Bootcamp to install from usb for OSX 10.9WORKS

So basically, I have trying to install windows on my mbp using a usb drive. However bootcamp wont allow me to do so since I have a optical drive on the laptop. I have been searching for a long time and eventually came across this solution and I would like to share this so u guys dont have to google all over the place again 🙂.

The solutions given before by changing info.plist is correct except that now Bootcamp crashes everytime you change it in OSX 10.9.

Full solution:

1. Add your Boot Rom Version(from system info) under DARequiredROMVersions.

2. Add Model Identifier(from system info) under PreUSBBootSupportedModels

3. Delete "Pre" from "PreUSBBootSupportedModels", so you have "USBBootSupportedModels"

The first 3 steps are same as before and if its not clear you can easily google solutions with screenshots.

The next step is only for OSX 10.9, as it employs some kind of code signature to prevent you from changing info.plist and cause bootcamp to crash.

4. Open your terminal, use the following command

sudo codesign -fs - /Applications/Utilities/Boot\ Camp\ Assistant.app

Sudo means using administrator privilege and u need to enter your mac password. And the command resigns the bootcamp application so that it runs with the new info.plist file and not crash.

5. Continue on with your installation....

Cheers.

P.S. back up info.plist before u change anything.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 24, 2013 6:43 PM

284 replies

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Nov 2, 2016 7:55 PM in response to DoubleDoseFilms

2015 and later Macs no longer use a USB Installer. They use an internal partition called OSXRESERVED. Please see How to install Windows using Boot Camp - Apple Support for a list of Macs which do not need a USB.

Nov 2, 2016 8:09 PM in response to Loner T

So how do I create an installer for windows on a mac?

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Nov 2, 2016 8:30 PM in response to DoubleDoseFilms

If you have a Windows PC, please use Windows Media Creation Tool and create a USB Installer. Once you have the USB Installer, run BCA and download Windows Support Software to a second USB, using

Copy the Windows Support Software to the root of the Windows Installer USB. This creates a USB Installer for the Mac. Run Disk Utility and create a FAT32 partition of the size you want Windows to be. Run SMC and NVRAM Reset, connect the USB, reboot Mac, and hold Alt/Option key and select EFI Boot. Test and report any errors.

Your Windows Installer USB should have a structure similar to

You may need to modify the AutoUnattend.xml by hand to correct some possible issues.

Nov 2, 2016 9:46 PM in response to Loner T

yeah thats the opposite of what I have. I currently have a Macbook Pro and I need to install Windows 10 on a fresh machine.

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Nov 3, 2016 5:52 AM in response to DoubleDoseFilms

Download the ISO from Microsoft to your Mac, mount it, copy the contents of the ISO to a USB. Download Windows Support software to a second USB. Copy the Windows Support software contents to the root of the USB which contains the ISO, modify AutoUnattend.xml as appropriate and use this USB as your Windows-On-Mac Installer.

Nov 16, 2016 5:41 PM in response to BITTTe

The trick to boot from a USB on a older mac is holding letter: C when booting. This will force the MacBook to boot into the USB. Make sure there is only 1 SSD / HDD installed (the one youre installing on) otherwise you will get errors.